Nederland, CO: Mount Neva

From the Fourth of July Trailhead, head northwest on Arapaho Pass Trail toward a basin below Quarter to 5 Peak. After the 1.4-mile climb, which features 1,000 feet of vertical, you’ll reach the dilapidated remains of the Fourth of July Mine. At the junction with the Arapaho Glacier Trail, bear left to continue west toward Arapahoe Pass. Upon hitting the pass (11,906 feet), follow the trail east before breaking toward the picturesque Lake Dorothy. Look west for spectacular panoramas of Neva’s craggy crown perched behind the lake’s boulder-strewn far shoreline. If weather permits and you’re up for the challenge, push north past Dorothy’s eastern shore to begin the ascent to Mount Neva.
Upon gaining the ridgeline, you’ll head south along the jagged spine of the Continental Divide: exercise extreme caution. Take in aerial views of Lake Dorothy to the east and Lake Columbine to the west before cresting Neva’s sky-scraping summit (12,814 feet). Continue south to begin your return descent to Fourth of July Mine. From the ridgeline holding the Continental Divide, tackle a steep descent down a snow-covered, east-facing slope ideal for glacading. After passing between two ice-shrouded lakes, follow the North Fork Middle Boulder Creek back towards the mine, turning around along the way for picture-perfect panoramas of Neva looming majestically to the west. Upon reaching the mine, reconnect with the Arapaho Pass Trail to return to the trailhead. 

-Mapped by Chris Hood

Trail Facts

• Distance: 15.1

Waypoints

MTN001

Location: 39.994917, -105.633942

From the Fourth of July trailhead, head northwest on the Arapahoe Pass Trail. You’ll climb for 1,000 feet before reaching a ridge below Quarter to 5 Peak at mile 1.4.

MTN002

Location: 40.010721, -105.659122

At the Fourth of July Mine, take the left fork to continue pushing up the Arapaho Pass Trail.

MTN003

Location: 40.014468, -105.677876

Break above 11,900 feet as you reach Arapaho Pass.

MTN004

Location: 40.013104, -105.682039

Bear left to bid adieu to the Arapaho Pass Trail and swing west toward Lake Dorothy.

MTN005

Location: 40.012694, -105.683713

Reach Dorothy Lake, an ideal spot for lunch. Turn around here if you aren’t up for taking on the peak. Otherwise, continue on by heading north along the lake’s eastern shore.

MTN006

Location: 40.015274, -105.6886

Turn left to traverse the Continental Divide to Neva’s peak. Exercise caution throughout this extremely rugged stretch.

MTN007

Location: 40.006908, -105.688348

Crest Mount Neva (12,814 feet). Then continue heading south to begin your descent.

MTN008

Location: 40.003424, -105.691223

Turn left to begin your steep, off-trail descent from the ridgeline. You’ll reconnect with the Arapaho Pass Trail at Fourth of July Trail.

MTN009

Location: 40.00487, -105.67822

Drop through marshlands as you continue your off-trail descent back to Fourth of July Mine.

MTN010

Location: 40.010393, -105.658865

Turn right to reconnect with the Arapaho Pass Trail, which you’ll follow back to the Fourth of July Trailhead.

Ptarmigan

Location: 40.012708, -105.683639

Columbine Lake

Location: 40.014468, -105.689512

While heading south on the spiny ridge leading to Mount Neva, look west through a picket fence of granite for a view of Columbine Lake.

Lake Dorothy

Location: 40.014256, -105.689508

Look east for views of Lake Dorothy from the ridgeline leading to Neva.

Continental Divide: Heading South

Location: 40.014082, -105.689769

The jagged, granite-toothed ridgeline leading to Mount Neva demands extreme caution.

Lake

Location: 40.002461, -105.687806

Ice shrouds this high-country lake, nestled beneath the southeast face of Mount Neva, deep into summer.

Looking West: Mount Neva

Location: 40.004969, -105.678092

While pushing east back to the Fourth of July Mine, turn around for postcard-like panoramas of Mount Neva.